Caseworker

What you will do as part of our team

• Providing a specialist advice and advocacy service to the homeless guests of our services, which include partner day centres and night shelters through the winter season.
• Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals.
• Attending appointments with guests occasionally when needed
• Referring and signposting guests to accommodation providers, health services and other relevant internal and external support services, as necessary
• Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop-in Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services.
• Attending meetings with the casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required
• Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework service for both internal and external use
• Maintaining a wel-organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (e.g. GDPR)
• Managing a small casework budget
• Undertaking any other duties, as required by the charity

Person specification

Essential

• At least one year experience of working one-on-one and assessing the needs of homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups
• Empathetic attitude to homeless and vulnerably housed people
• Up-to-date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people
• Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London
• Confident approach to, and experience of, dealing with challenging behaviour
• Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers
• Highly organised with strong time-management skills
• Ability to keep clear and up-to-date case records
• Experience and competent in MS Office packages
• Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions
• Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills
• Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies
• Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities
• For night shelter caseworkers, willingness to work a minimum of one evening per week
• This post will require an enhanced DBS check prior and during employment

Desirable

• Ability to speak Polish, Romanian or other Eastern European languages
• Experience of working alongside volunteers